Hidden chronic infections are common. They are likely a cause of many inflammatory autoimmune diseases and some Alzheimer’s disease. That is the opinion of Steven Phillips, MD, a Yale-trained general internist in Connecticut who became severely ill and recovered from Lyme disease. Dr. Phillips has dedicated his clinical practice to treating a wide variety of… Read more »
In August, I received a scary phone call. My mom was on her way to the hospital with symptoms of a stroke. Thankfully her symptoms fully resolved, and all of the testing showed no damage, but we were all shaken. One of my sisters asked the question, “What made this happen?” This question recurs over… Read more »
Due in part to the popularity of the paleo and keto diets, I am often asked by patients if they should avoid lectin-containing foods. The conversation is usually around whether the patient needs to forego all beans and legumes to achieve optimal health. Lectins are proteins found not only in plants but also in… Read more »
It is easy to forget a sweet dream, but a frightening nightmare can last a lifetime. Have you ever stopped to think that maybe your nightmares are a gift in disguise? Finding that hidden nugget of gold they are trying to tell us can often stop the nightmare forever. If you have had a nightmare… Read more »
Cysteine is an amino acid your body uses to create collagen, the major type of protein in connective tissue. Besides building your hair, skin and nails, cysteine helps convert glucose to energy and is a component of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant. Cysteine is classified as “conditionally essential,” meaning your cells can create it if other… Read more »
The 2017 book The End of Alzheimer’s by Dale Bredesen, MD caused a sensation. For the first time, there was scientific documentation on a wide scale of the reversal of cognitive decline using lifestyle factors. Bredesen, a research professor of neurology at UCLA and founder of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, first reported… Read more »
On May 22 of this year, in the Gansu province of China, 21 ultra-marathoners got caught in a freak storm that took many by surprise. These runners, who were at the top of their field, were pelted with rain and hail and experienced freezing temperatures while being swept up and over cliffs by wind that… Read more »
Carbohydrates have received such a bad reputation for health and weight loss, but is it all warranted? I think it is easy to get caught up in the latest health and weight-loss trends, and because they all seem to contradict one another, it is common to ultimately end up in severe food confusion. Almost… Read more »
Youthfulness and longevity is the ultimate health goal, right? It’s no wonder anti-aging supplements and products are popping up everywhere. We all strive to feel and look amazing, but many of these marketed products aren’t backed by scientific research and can potentially be a waste of money. One product that many naturopathic and functional medicine… Read more »
When we think about living a healthy life, we all know drinking water is essential. With so many healthy hydration options out there today, how do we know what is actually helping us? Here’s the low-down. Let’s start with alkaline pH water. pH refers to the level of acidity and ranges from 0 (most acidic)… Read more »
Everything consists of energy, including our bodies — physics tells us that. Chronic stress, unresolved emotions, negative thoughts, injuries and pain are all things that impact your energy. They affect how you interact with others, how you feel about yourself and your overall well-being. Reiki is powerful healing energy within us that can help us… Read more »
Blood sugar testing with a glucometer is a great tool for anyone to assess their body’s unique response to food and lifestyle choices. We normally associate blood sugar testing with diabetes, but this tool can be helpful to support health goals such as improving body composition, making exercise and diet changes, identifying your carbohydrate tolerance,… Read more »
There is a relatively new segment studying human behaviors, happiness and overall well-being referred to as positive psychology. Defined by the Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, it is the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive. In other words, focusing on the positive side of the human life… Read more »
Drew Ramsey, MD, a psychiatrist in New York who lives on a family farm in Indiana, introduced me to nutritional psychiatry. I did not realize such psychiatrists existed; it turns out they have international meetings. Leading the way is psychiatrist Daniel Amen, MD, who has authored over 30 books and established more than 7,000 clinics.… Read more »
Do you have mixed feelings about going “back to normal?” The past year has required many changes to our routines and socialization. The pandemic precautions included the cessation of so many activities. We stopped going to school. We stopped eating out. We stopped exercising in gyms or studios. We stopped gathering at church. We stopped… Read more »
I’m not sure where this fable comes from, but I remember first hearing it in church as a young adult and discussing it with my mother afterward. It is one of my favorites to share with patients and my own children because it really simplifies the difficult concept of recognizing how much power we have… Read more »
To my knowledge, no one knows nutrition history better than Gary Taubes. As a science writer, he has been studying the subject matter full time for over 25 years. Taubes helped launch the modern low-carbohydrate healthy fat understanding with his 2002 cover article in the New York Times Magazine entitled “What If It’s All Been… Read more »
The growth of regenerative medicine now offers patients a variety of less invasive treatment options to joint surgery, replacement and pain management. The basic principle of regenerative medicine uses the body’s own healing mechanisms to repair damaged tissues. The field includes injectables, patches, traditional Chinese medicine techniques and electronic stimuli equipment to name a few.… Read more »
Even when we know what we have to do to live a healthier lifestyle, doing it isn’t as easy as it should be. Eating healthier, moving more, surrounding ourselves with a great social network, and going to bed earlier are a few of the things no one could argue would help them live a healthier… Read more »
The controversy over dietary fats began in the 1940s when research started to link high cholesterol with heart disease. High dietary fat was blamed for high cholesterol, and many people avoided all fatty foods – even those that are health-promoting – for decades. We now understand the relationship between dietary fat intake and cardiovascular disease… Read more »